Emergency radio transmitter



Oct. 6, 1959 F. G. sEYFANG K EMERGENCY RADIQ TRANSMITTER 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 26, 1957 INVENTOR. m 56M ATTE! RN EYE oct. 6, 1959 r F. G. sEYr-ANG EMERGENCY RADIO TRANSMITTER Fi-led sein. 26. l1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fanfare/e I N VEN TOR.

\ ATTD RN EYB United States Patent Oiiice 2,907,875 Patented Oct. 6, 1959 2,907,815 v EMERGENCY RADIO TRANSMITTER Frank G. seyfang, Atlantic city, NJ.

Application September 26, 1957, Serial No. 686,513

s claims. (Cl. 25o- 17) This invention relates to signals particularly of the type used for broadcasting or indicating the location of forced landings of aircraft, either on the land or sea, and in particular a mast or conical-shaped tower having a radio antenna therein mounted on a base with the base and tower inated by gas of a pressure cartridge or container and in which the device is mounted on a parachute, cords of which are connected to the gas container.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a signal device that is formed to be collapsed to provide a relatively small package and that may readily be released and set up on the land or sea.

Various types of balloons, kites, and other signal devices have been provided, however, such devices hafve not been found successful as they are subjected to high velocity winds, large waves and the like and it has been found dil`n`cult to provide a device that will last indelinitely.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a signal device that is of rugged construction and in which a mast or cone extends upwardly to a relatively high elevation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal device particularly adapted for aircraft use in which the device may be collapsed to a relatively small package and may be inflated to provide a tower with a supporting base.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a signal device for aircraft use in which the device includes a radio antenna -for sending distress signals.

A further object of the invention is to provide a signal device for aircraft use in which the device is formed to be used in combination with a parachute.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a signal device for aircraft use in which the device is of a simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the invention embodies a conical-shaped tower mounted on a trussed base with a tower and base formed of fabric coated with rubber or the like, and a pressure container connected to the base and cone with a tube. 'Ihe base may be installed in the upper part of a parachute with the pressure container providing weight for retaining the parachute in an open position.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view illustrating the improved rescue signal showing the device just before it drops into water.

Figure 2 is a view showing a package in which the collapsed device is incorporated.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the base with parts broken away showing reinforcing ribs or trusses extended therethrough.

Figure 4 is a vertical section through the conicalshaped tower and base with parts broken away and parts shown in elevation showing an antenna, extended from an instrument in the base. t

Figure 5 is a sectional plan taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4 showing the circular formation of the cone or tower.

Figure 6 is a view taken on line 6 6 of Figure 4 showing an eye for connecting the rescue signal to a towing rope.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the upper end of the cone or tower showing reflecting surfaces at the upper end of the tower.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts the improved rescue signal of this invention includes a conical-shaped tower y10 mounted on a base 11 with a truss formation 12 connecting the cone or tower to the base, an antenna 13 extended from an instrument 14 positioned in the base and a pressure container 15 connected to the base and cone by a tube 16.

The parts are preferably made of fabric covered with rubber, plastic, or other suitable material and the lower end of the cone is secured to the upper surface of the ytruss formation of the base by heat sealing, stitching, or other means, as indicated by the numeral 17 and, particularly with the device used for aircraft the base is secured to an upper portion 18 of a parachute 19 by stitching, as indicated by the numeral 20.

The upper surface of the base is provided with ribs or reinforcing trusses 21 and the periphery or outer edge of the base is provided with an eye 22 to which a tow rope, as indicated by the numeral 23 may be connected, as shown in Figures 4 and 6.

The tube 16, from the pressure container 15 'is secured in the lower surface of the base by a grommet 27, or the like' The upper end of the cone or tower is provided with a ball 28 with a disc 29 extended around the medial part thereof and both the ball and disc are provided with rellecting surfaces.

The cone or tower may also be provided with antennas 30 and 31 that may be secured to the inner surface with fasteners 32 and the radio transmitter 14, which may be positioned in a well 33 may be provided with a connection 34. The antennas may be connected to the transmitter with pressure fittings, as indicated by the numeral 35, and as shown in Figure 4.

In the collapsed position the signal device may be folded to provide a package 36 and the package may be retained in position with straps 37.

The signal device is collapsed to the form of the package 36 and stored in aircraft and in an emergency the parts may be released by a pull cord 38 on the end of which is a float 39 wherein gas from the pressure container 15 passes through the tube 16 into the base and cone forcing the cone upwardly and expanding the base which provides supporting means for the tower or cone.

When used in combination with a parachute the parachute may drop downwardly into the water with the base and cone extended upwardly whereby a signal at the upper end of the tower or cone is visible from a considerable distance.

The device also emits radio signals which may direct rescue craft to the point of landing.

The gas pressure container 15 may be secured in a ring 40 and the ring connected to the periphery of the parachute by cords 41 the upper ends of which are connected to points 42 extended from the lower edge of the bag of the parachute.

The parachute may drop upon land or may drop into water such as the water 43 shown in Figure 1.

It will be understood that modifications, within the 3 scope of the1 appended claims, may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: 1'. emergency signal comprising a collapsible conical-shaped tower, a circular collapsible baseA integral with f thev tower and having communiation with Said tower,

a gas pressure' container conne tred t6 the bas and tower for inflating the same, and a radio transmitter positioned in the' base and having' an antenna extended into the tower.

2. An emergency signal comprising a conicalshaped tower, a' circular base having reinforcing therein integral with one end of said tower and having communication therewith the base and tower being collapsible,- ay radio transmitter mounted in the base, an ant'ennapositioned in the tower and connected toI the radio transmitter, and a reector on the upper end of the tower.

3'. In an emergency signal, the combination which comprises a hollow conical-shaped tower, an enlarged hollow circular base integral with one end of said tower and from which the tower extends in vertical relation thereto, a parachute on which the basel s mounted, the parachute base and tower being in communication with each other and collapsible, cords' connected to said parachute, a gas pressure container connected to said cords', a tube connected to said base and@ said container for inilating said tower and said base, a radio transmitter positioned 4 in the base, an antenna positioned in the tower and connected to the radio transmitter, and a ball with a disc thereon positioned on the upper end of the tower, the ball and disc having reflecting surfaces.

4. An emergency signal comprising a hollow collapsible base, a hollow collapsible tower integral with the base and extended upwardly from the base in vertical relation thereto a signal on the upper end of the tower, a radio transmitter in the base, an vantenna extended from' the' transmitter and positioned in the tower, and a pressure container connected to the base and tower for inflating the same.

5. An emergency signal comprising a hollow collapsible base, a hollow collapsible tower integral with the base and extended upwardly from the base in vertical relation thereto, a signal on the upper end of the tower, a radio transmitter in the base, an antenna extended from the transmitter and positioned in the tower, a pressure container connectedto the base and tower for inliating the same, and a parachute on which theba's'e is mounted.-

References Cited in the le of this patent UNTED STATES PATENTS 

